Summer Fun in Ohio: 10 Ways to Enjoy the Last Week of May

5/22: Celebrate the start of summer along Lake Erie at the Port Clinton Walleye Festival. During Memorial Day weekend, visitors to the Walleye Capital of the World can enjoy live concerts, a parade, a kids fishing derby, educational activities and programs, carnival rides and more. May 21–25. portclintonchamber.com/walleye-festival

5/23: Join more than 100,000 visitors in celebrating and uplifting Asian culture in Ohio’s capital city during Columbus’ Asian Festival. Watch teams compete in the dragon-boat races and table-tennis tournaments, and immerse yourself in the rich and diverse heritage, fashions, music and cuisines of Japan, China, India and other Asian countries. May 23–24. asian-festival.org

5/24: Get ready to groove at Reggae Fest Cleveland, where 10 bands hit the stage to bring the soulful and relaxed sound of reggae to the city’s Voinovich Park. In addition to the live music, attendees can dig into traditional Jamaican jerk chicken and pork from food trucks stationed on-site for the event. May 23–24. reggaefestcleveland.com

5/25: Beyond the science- and history-focused exhibits you’ll find inside the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in Dayton, the Storybook Trail in Werthner Woods on the museum grounds offers the chance to slow down and explore nature. Children can follow along with the pages of a storybook while they climb rope webs, look for critters in the Toad Abode and more. boonshoft.org

5/26: Park Pals: Bats! at Erie MetroParks’ Osborn MetroPark shows there’s nothing to fear from these flying nocturnal creatures. The program encourages kids to learn about bats and the important role they play in our ecosystems. Children ages 3 through 6 can stop by for a storybook reading and make a bat-themed craft. eriemetroparks.org

5/27: Follow the Yellow Brick Road to see the seven-time Tony Award-winning musical that originally hit Broadway stages back in 1975. “The Wiz” features an all-Black cast, as well as soul, gospel, funk and R&B music. This take on L. Frank Baum’s classic novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz makes a stop at Toledo’s Stranahan Theater. May 26–31. thestranahan.com

5/28: All aboard! Built in 1873, the Dennison Depot today houses a museum that shares the Tuscarawas County village’s rich railroad history. Since 1980, that heritage has been celebrated at the Dennison Railroad Festival, which features festival food and live music, as well as train exhibits and museum tours. May 29–31. facebook.com/DRRFestival

5/29: Honor Italian heritage in the Queen City during CincItalia Fest. This three-day festival features live entertainment from The Whammies, Phil DeGreg Trio and EuroRhythms, as well as cooking demonstrations, drone shows, games, a vintage religious art show and plenty of delicious Italian cuisine. May 29–31. cincitalia.org

5/30: Visit the college town of Bowling Green during Bowling Green Porch Fest and hear live music from the driveways and porches of neighborhood homes. This community celebration features more than 21 bands performing throughout the day. bgporchfest.com

5/31: Take a ride on the wild side — literally. At The Wilds in Cumberland, visitors can venture through more than 10,000 acres of protected land to see a variety of threatened and endangered animal species. Pick a tour that suits your pace, with options ranging from open-air safaris to horseback tours to zip lining. thewilds.org